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This series documents the transition of Ironweed from the 1983 award-winning novel to film in 1987. Like the book, the movie focuses on the character of Francis Phelan and his return to Albany during the Depression. William Kennedy wrote the script for the film which was directed by Hector Babenco and starred Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. It was filmed on location in Albany and the surrounding areas. The materials include many draft and edited scripts, publicity materials, information about casting and locations, call sheets, correspondence, reviews, and two paperback copies of the novel with notes used for script writing. Note the overall dates for the series are not inclusive.

This series contains correspondence sent to William Kennedy from fellow authors, journalists, politicians, and members of the film industry. Most notably, the files document his relationships with other well-known writers of American literature, especially his decades-long friendships with mentor Saul Bellow and Hunter S. Thompson. Also included is correspondence with Philip Roth, Joyce Carol Oates, Frank McCourt, Doris Grumbach, John Updike, and more. Materials include letters, greeting cards, post cards, fax transmissions, e-mail and one Western Union mailgram. Nearly all of the other series also include correspondence related to the respective series.